Cardiopulmonary effects of fentanyl-droperidol, nitrous oxide, and atropine sulfate in dogs.

The cardiopulmonary effects of droperidol-fentanyl, nitrous oxide, and atropine were evaluated in 12 adult male Beagle dogs. All dogs were surgically instrumented with a cardiac output thermistor and arterial and venous catheters and were prepared with a chronic tracheostomy. Each dog was used as its own control, and data obtained when dogs were nonanesthetized and nonmedicated were compared with data recorded after the test drugs were administered. The dogs were randomly allotted to 3 groups of 4 dogs each. Group I dogs were given droperidol-fentanyl alone intravenously (IV); group II dogs were given droperidol-fentanyl IV with 67% nitrous oxide; and group III dogs were given atropine sulfate intramuscularly followed by droperidol-fentanyl IV with 67% nitrous oxide. Minute volume was decreased in the 3 groups of dogs for 3 to 5 minutes after droperidol-fentanyl was injected. This resulted in respiratory and metabolic acidosis in all dogs, as indicated by increased arterial carbon dioxide tension, decreased pH, and increased base deficit. In addition, droperidol-fentanyl given alone caused a decrease in systolic pressure and a slight decrease in heart rate. Group 1 dogs were sensitive to auditory stimulation. Cardiovascular changes were not seen when nitrous oxide was added; however, analgesia and muscle relaxation were improved. Premedication with atropine sulfate resulted in increased cardiac output, heart rate, and diastolic pressure, and subsequent administration of droperidol-fentanyl with nitrous oxide caused a transient increase in mean arterial and systolic pressure. This last anesthetic regimen, along with assisted or controlled respiration, seems to provide an excellent anesthetic state with minimal cardiopulmonary depression.     

Patent ductus arteriosus in the dog: characteristics of occurrence and results of surgery in one hundred consecutive cases.

The results of surgical repair of patent ductus arteriosus (100 dogs) were compared with the results of nonsurgical treatment of this defect (14 dogs). The death rate for dogs surgically treated was 8%, with 2 deaths at surgery and 6 late postoperative deaths. In the nonsurgical group, 64% died within one year of the examination. The increased survival rate for the surgically treated group was significant ( P less than 0.001). Surgical death rate was high for dogs more than 2 years old and weighing more than 23 kg. It was concluded that surgery is the preferred method of treatment and that early surgery increases the survival rate of dogs with patent ductus arteriosus, compared with the survival rate for older, heavier dogs with the defect.     

Pulmonary function in dogs with mitral valve regurgitation

Mitral valve regurgitation was created in 2 groups of dogs. Groups were selected on absence (group 1) or presence (group 2) of clinical signs of congestive left ventricular failure. Group-2 dogs, in which mean left atrial pressures were greater than 30 mm of Hg, had increases in heart rate, pulmonary arterial mean pressure, left atrial diameter, and left ventricular diastolic diameter. These changes were associated with decreased arterial O2 tension, decreased static and dynamic compliance, reduced lung volumes, and increased pulmonary resistance. Group-1 dogs, in which mean left atrial pressure was less than 30 mm of Hg, had moderate changes in hemodynamics, but no changes in pulmonary function, except during exercise when arterial O2 tension decreased.     

Aortic interruption in a dog.

A 3-month-old English Bulldog was found to have a discontinuity between the ascending and descending aorta. There were no signs of illness associated with the interruption. The descending aorta was supplied with blood by collateral circulation. An aortic graft of woven synthetic material was surgically implanted to connect the ascending and descending aorta. Without any restrictions on the dog's activity, the dog has lived for over 1 year and continues to do well.     

Septicemia in a young dog following treatment of patent ductus arteriosus via coil occlusion

CASE DESCRIPTION-A 12-week-old female English Springer Spaniel was evaluated for lethargy, vomiting, and pyrexia 1 week after treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) via coil occlusion. CLINICAL FINDINGS-Test results were consistent with septicemia, and the assumption was made that the PDA occlusion coils were infected. Radiography revealed partial migration of the coil mass into the pulmonary artery and signs of congestive heart failure. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME-After successful treatment of the septicemia and heart failure, surgical removal of the coils and resection of the PDA were undertaken. Although the coil that embolized to the pulmonary vasculature was left in place, the dog's clinical signs resolved. CLINICAL RELEVANCE-This case highlights the fact that as PDA coil occlusion devices become more widely used in dogs, practitioners must be prepared to treat implant infections aggressively, with both medical and surgical interventions if necessary.     

Altrenogest Treatment Associated with a Farrowing Induction Protocol to Avoid Early Parturition in Sows

This study investigated the effect of altrenogest treatment on the farrowing development of sows, and birth weight (BW) and piglet survival until the third day of life. Three control groups were used: (i) sows that farrowed spontaneously before 114 day of gestation (CONT <114); (ii) sows that spontaneously farrowed at ≥114 day of gestation (CONT ≥114); (iii) sows that farrowed at ≥114 day with cloprostenol treatment (CONTCLOPR). Other sows were treated with altrenogest (Regumate^®) for 3 days (days 111, 112 and 113 of gestation): one group gave birth spontaneously (ALT) and the other group received altrenogest until day 113 and cloprostenol on day 114 (ALTCLOPR). There were no differences (p > 0.05) in farrowing duration, BW, coefficient of variation (CV) of BW, stillborn piglets, mummified foetuses, percentage of light piglets and survival until Day 3 between sows with and without cloprostenol treatment, in both control (CONT ≥114 vs CONTCLOPR) and altrenogest‐treated sows (ALT vs ALTCLOPR). Further comparisons were performed taking into account three groups: sows with early delivery (CONT <114 – farrowing before 114 days of gestation; n = 56), sows with longer gestation (CONT ≥114 – with and without cloprostenol treatment sows; n = 103) and ALT sows (with and without cloprostenol treatment; n = 105). Gestation length of CONT ≥114 and ALT sows was similar (p > 0.05), but higher than in CONT <114 sows. There were no differences (p > 0.05) between groups in farrowing duration, CV of BW, and percentages of stillborn piglets and mummified foetuses. Sows of CONT <114 group had a larger litter size and a lower BW than sows of the other two groups (p < 0.05). Sows of CONT <114 group had a higher percentage of lighter piglets and a lower piglet survival rate (p < 0.05) than ALT sows. In conclusion, altrenogest treatment proved to be an efficient method to avoid early parturition in 3–5 parity sows resulting in heavier piglets at birth.